Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #329 Tottenham is commemorating its 70th
anniversary by refurbishing the 94 year old War Memorial in Keogh Park to
also mark the 100th anniversary of WW I.

Tom MacDonald, representing the Tottenham Legion, was assured by New
Tecumseth councillors last night, that the Town will contribute at
least $3,750 to help restore the cenotaph.

Photos by Stuart Starbuck

Not
fade away

The
names etched into Tottenham's War Memorial are fading rapidly, and the
Legion is taking on the task of refurbishing them.

"It was erected in August 1920 to the people from the Tottenham area
who lost their lives in the first world war. It was rededicated in 1946
to people from Tottenham who lost their lives in that war. And again at
the end of the Korean War, although there were no people in the
community who lost their lives, it was dedicated to all the Canadians
who lost their lives in that war," said Mr. MacDonald.

"Due to the age of the monument, and weather, the elements have taken
their toll on the monument. At the time of construction in 1920, lead
lettering was all the rage. Unfortunately, the lead is now beginning to
deteriorate to extreme level. We're losing names off the monument, so
we've come here today to ask for support in refurbishing the monument
and having the names put back on."

He said they have a quote for $5,000, and have raised $1,250 toward the
cost, and asked the Town to make up the shortfall.

Mayor Mike MacEachern said, "we have been very supportive of cenotaphs
in the community, I can't see us not providing financial support." The
community grants funding envelope has been identified as the funding
source.

"Strange as it may seem, there's actually a shortage of people who can
do the lead lettering, some of the companies I have spoken too, the
people are very old," said Mr. MacDonald. "We were hoping to get the
work done before August this year, definitely before November
Remembrance Day, but in August it would be its actual 94th anniversary."